Feed-water regulator



June 8 1926. 1,588,049 J. P. QUALEY-ET AL FEED WATER REGULATOR v File d March 5. 192.5 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zlvvumxi'ow M? Q v 6" s V ag1 acbmwmm June 8, 1926.. 1,588,049- J. P. QUALEY ET AL I I FEED WATER REGULATOR Filed Marc}; 5, 1925 2 Sh'eets-Sheet 2 Ii W ssqwnzgmw Patented June 8, 1926.

UNITED STATES rssao a FE -WATER REGULATOR.

' Application 'fil ed March 5, 1925. Serial No. 13,221.

. This invention is concerned with feed water regulators and the general object of our invention is the provision of an automatic feed water regulator which will operate in an eflicient manner to maintain the Water level in a boiler ot a heating system substantially normal but which in. case of an emergency due to a flooded condition of the boiler, will also operate to connect the boiler to a drain'line.

More specifically our invention, is directed to the provision of a liquid container operated device which will control the feed water line and an overflow drain line of a boiler( Another object of our invention is the provision of a simple apparatus for the foregoing purposes which may be economically manufactured and installed and which will operate under the varying thermal 'condi-.

tions of a heating system to maintaina normal water level in the boiler of the system.

Other objects of our invention will hereinafter be set forth in the following description which refers to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred form thereof. The essential characteristics are summarized in the-claims. v

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation with parts in section of a boiler equipped with our novel feed water regulating means; Fig. 2 is a front elevation'ot our device; Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially-along the line 33 of Fig. 2 and showing a valve structure for controllingthe feed water line and an overflow drain line of the boiler; Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4; of Fig. 3 andFig.

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken through the valve mechanism substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 3.

"Devices of the general character with which our invention is concerned, usually embody some kind of a flexible connection,

in the form of a rubber hose or flexible metallic conduit, the flexing of which interferes with a sensitive operation otthe liquid container. Likewise these various de- -vices make no provision. for an overflow drainage of the boiler being serviced bythe feed water line. Our experience has demonstrated that none of these devices should be relied upon to automatically control the feed water to a boiler, and particularly a boiler in a heating system, for it frequently occurs that a considerable amount of water ATENT OFFICE.

in the form otcondensate maybe temporarily retained by the heating system to 'which' the boiler is connected andthat this condensate may return to the boiler only after such a device has functioned to over feed water to the boiler with a consequent flooding of the boiler.

Our invention'contemplates the provision of an overflow drainwhich may be automatically controlled simultaneously with the automatic control of the feed water line to the boiler and a preferred form of ourldevice incorporatesthe use ofonly a single valve'pret'erably of the Corliss type which valve may be'conn ected in the feed water line and the overflow drain line of the boiler and be operated by a closed'liquid container which is in communication with the boiler under all conditions whereby the varying water level in thecontainer will cause a swinging movement thereof in opposition toa counterpoise mechanism. Y F a i As shown in'Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings a preferred 'formof our invention may comprisea feed Water line 10 connected to an outside source otwater supply and which is'conneoted by a lower -stretchbf pipe 10f to the lower part of the b.0iler 12 and an overflow drain 'line' extending .to a sewer,

both pipe lines being connected to the body 14 of a control valve; The valve limay be oi the tapered sleeve orv Corli'sstype oper ated by a: liquid container 16 and a counter poise or'weight 17;and accordingly the container 16 is mounted on a'pipe extension 18 projected at right angles to a hollow valve stem'19 rigidly secured to the valve port 7 member 20. On the opposite side of the stem 19, a weightjarm' 22 may bev rigidly attached for suspending the counterpoise or weight 17 in balanced relation to the weight 1 of thetank 16 plus the weight of its normal liquid content. 1

As shown in cross-section in Fig.- 31the valve stem 19 may comprise a pipeyin threadedengagement with the tapered port member 20, and a T fitting 19 may c'omi prise the connecting. means betweenthe cons tainer arm 18'and the stem 19. Thevalve port member 20.may have the ports thereof, as shown in Fig. 5, arranged in such manner that regardless of the operative position of the tank 16, the interior of the container will, under all conditions, be in communication with the interior of the boiler 12 whereby the liquid level in the container 16 will 1 i alwayscorrespond to the liquid level in the boiler 12. V

The port 24 is normally out of alignment with the feed water passage'25 of the valve body branch 26 which. comprises the con;

nection for the high pressureror city pressure side 10 of the feed .water line 1010 The large port- 27 is of such angular displacement, relative to the port 24, that the interior passage 28 of the tapered valve member20 will under all operating conditions be in communication with the pasagepassageway 29, valve passageway 28, stem 19 "and pipe arm 18. It will also be seen that the port 24 will be out of alignment with the feed water line 10 when the tank is in a normal position as shown in Fig. 2, which position corresponds to the normal water level in. the boiler. The angular span of the port 27 is such that if the container is depressed or swings to a position lower than the normal position shown in Fig. 2, the port 27 willbe brought into communication with a passagewayfi l formed in the branch 35 of the valvebody 14 and this branch consitutes a connection for the boiler overflow drain 36.

Thevalve has three major operating positions; namely the water feeding position when the container 16 is elevated due to the presence of alow water levedtherein; a

normal position in which the drain line andv feed water line are closed. and which posi tion corresponds to the normal water level in the. boiler and container; and finally an over r V will thus be seen that it a slight elevation 7 flow position when. the feed water line is closed and the drain l1ne open, WlllCll position corresponds to a depressed or lowered position. of the container due tothe presence" of a high water level therein.

, In order to prevent theformation of an air bell in the top region of the container 16,

when thewater level therein is varying, it is necessary, that the top of the container be vented in a practical way withoutendangerjing the escape of steam. This vent may comprise a conduit betweenthe top region of the container and the top' region of the boilerand a preferred form of such connection is illustrated in the drawings as comprising apipe line 40 extending .from'the top of the container downwardly to a fitting 41 which comprises a part of the valve stem 19. The fitting is closed at oneend as shown at 4L2 and may be'in the nature of a T afiording 7 connection for an extension 19 of the valve stem which is not in communication with the part 19. The extension 19 may besupported by a bracket arm 42 which may be socured to the feedwater line 10 in any suitable manner, preferably by a clamping plate 43. V The journal end 44 of the bracket 42, which supports the extension 19" of the valve stem, may he in the form'o-f a stuiiing box comprising a glandefi which permits an oscillating movement of the extension 19 but which assures a close fitting connection between the container, vent line 40 and a pipe. line 50 which is connec-ted to the top region of the boiler as shown in Fig. 1. r

The device hereinoi ore described is operable thegreater part of the time'from the normal osition shown 'a 15 .2 to-an u ward position to feed waterto the boiler and swings downwardly only under an emergency condition when an unusual return flow of condensate from the heating system to the boiler suddenly talres place and we prefor to provide a simple auxiliary counter- V poise mechanism which will function; to maintain the container 16 in a normal position but which will permit a downward movement of the. container when such unusual retu a of condensate takes place. 7

3 As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, this auxiliary counterpoise mechanism may comprise an arm 52 having a fulcrum bearing 53 resting on the horizontal stretch 42 ofthe bracket 42. The arm 52 has a forward extension 54:- which serves as a rest'for the pipe arm 18 supporting the container. The opposite end of the arm 52 is provided with a counterpo-ise or weight 56 which tends to oppose the downward movement or" the container 16. An upward swinging of the extension 54 is prevented by a short bracket 6O formed on or secured to the bracket 42 which extends over the top of the arm 52 but which will permit a downwardxswinging thereof. It

drain line will not be opened this slight increase in weight in the container 16 is sup ported by the weight 56. If, however, an unusual elevation of the water level. in the boiler takes placethus greatly increasing the normal weight ctthe container 16,1the opposinginliuence of the auxiliary weight 56.will be overcome andlthe container will depress the arm 52 thus swinging the valve 20, to open the boiler to the. overflow drain line'36, through pipe line 10, passageway 29 valve port 27 to valve passage 34 to the drain. v

From the foregoing description of our invention, it will be obvious that'we incorporate in an automatic feed'water regulator, a Corliss valve structure which is not subjected to wire crawing or wear this to leakage from the high pressure sideof the feed water line and that what wear which may take place may be automatically taken gives a uniform friction which may be Originally provided for by adjustment of the 7 weight 17 on the counterpoise arm 22 and that the frictional opposition to the movement of the valve stem 19 will be constant underxvarying operating conditions, thus greatly increasing the efliciency otthe mech} anism as well as assuring an accurate and ready response thereof to th evarying water level conditions 'inthe boiler. Fur-then more it will be obvious that all of the foregoing desirable characteristics in an automatic feed water regulator may be obtamed in our invention in a very simple manner involving the use of but a few. elements which na'y be readily. and economically manufactured.

Ne claim:

1. In a heatingsystem the combination of a boiler, a feed water line connected to the boiler, a valve'controlling said line, a closed movable container connected to the upper region of the boiler and through said valve to the feed water line and a boiler overflow drain line connected to the valve.

2. In a heating; system the combination of a boiler, a feed water line for the boiler, a closed movable container'connected to the upper region of the boiler and to the feed water line, a boiler overflow drain line and a common means operated by movement of the container for controlling the feed water line consequent to water level variations in the boiler and for connecting the boiler to said overflow drain line. t

3. In combination, a boiler, a feed water line, a boiler overflow drain line, a single valve controlling the feed water line and drain lineand a liquid container connected to the boiler and valve for operating the valve and mounted to be movable.

4. In combination a boiler, a feed Water line, a boiler overflow drain line, a valve controlling the drain line and feed water line, a container connected to the boiler through the valve and adapted to operate the valve, a counterpoise mechanism for the container for operating the valve to open the feed water line and a second counter poise mechanism for maintaining the container at a definite position when the water level in the boiler is substantially normal.

5. In a heating system the combination of a boiler, a feed water line connected to the boiler, a valve controlling said line, a closed container connected to the upper. region of The vent connection by the boiler and through said valve to the feed water line and a boiler overflow drain line controlled by a movement of the con tainer. Y 7 f 6. In a heating system the combination oi a boiler, a feed water line for the boiler, a closed container connected to the upper re-- gion ot" the boiler and to-the teedwater line, a boiler overflow drain line and a sleeve valve operated by the container for controlling the t'eed water line consequent to water level variations in the boiler and for connecting the boiler to said overfl'oiv drain line.

7. In combination, a boiler, a feedwater line, a boiler overflow drain line, a single valve controlling the feed water line and drain line, a container connected to theboiler and V'cLlYOITEOI operating the valve and r a vent connection between the-boiler and container having a p votal connecting means coincidentwith the valve axes;

8. In combination 'a boiler, a feed ".vater line, a valve controlling thet'eed water line, acontainer connected to the boiler through the valve and adapted to; operate the valve. a counterpoise mechanism tor the container for operating the valve to open the feed water lineand a "second, counterpoise 'mech anism for maintaining 'tbe'container at a definite position'when the water level in the boiler is substantiallynormal. i

9. In a heatingsystem the combination of a boiler, a feed water line for the boiler, a

closed containerconnected to' the upper region of the boiler and to the feed water line, a boiler overflow drain line, a common means'operate'd by the container for controlling the feed water line consequent to water level variations in the boiler and for "connecting the boiler to said overflow. drain line including a counterpoise mechanism for the 7 container and an auxiliary counterpoise mechanism active to restore the container to a normal position after an overflow draining of the boiler has been effected.

'10. In combination a boiler, a feed Water line, a boiler overflow drain line, a single valve controlling the feed water line and drain line, a container connected to the boiler and valve for operating the valve, and a double counterpoise mechanism active in twostages to maintain the container in a normal position.

11. In a heating system the combination of a boiler, a feed waterline connected to the boiler,:a valve controlling said line, a closed container connected to the upper region of the boiler and through saidvalve to the feed water line, a hollow valve stem and a bracket secured to the feed water line and pivotally supporting the stem and container. a l

12. In a heating system the combination of a boiler, a feed waterline for the boiler, 21.

'line, a boiler overflow drain line, a single valve controlling the teedwater lineand drain line, a container connected to the boiler and valve for operating the valve, anda duplex counterpoise. mechanism active on the container in stages to maintain itin a normal position. i I

14:. In combination a boilena feed water line therefor, an overflow drain line for the boiler, a valve controlling the feed water line and the drain line, a container connected to the boiler under all operating conditions and means connecting the container to said valve whereby the water level in the container'may correspond to the waterlevel in theboiler under all operating conditions, a counterpoise forthe container for maintaining the valve in closed relation to the feed water line when thewater level in the boiler is substantially normal and a second counterpoise mechanism opposing a downward 'movement of the container but yieldable when a flooded condition exists in the boiler whereby the container may move downwardly and position said valve to connect the boiler with the overflow drain line.

15. In a device of thecharactcr'described i the combination with a boiler, or a feed water line therefor, an'overflow drain line therefor, a common valve controlling the drain line and the feed water line, a hollow sten for the valve, a container mounted on the stein and communicating with. the water line and boiler through said valveand a pipe line connected to the upper region of the container and associated'with said valve stem, a plvotal connectingrmeans associated with the stem and a pipe line connecting said pivotal'means to .the boiler whereby the pressure in the top reglon of the container may correspond to the pressure in theitop region of the boiler.

16. In combination a bOllGl,2L feed water line therefor, an overflow drain linefor the boiler, a valve controlling the feed water. line and the drain line, a containerconnected to the boiler under all operatingconflltlODS and ineansvconnecting the conta ner to said valve whereby the water level in the container may correspond to the level in the boiler under all operating conditions including a hollow valve sleeve and valve stem, a counterpoise for the container for maintaining the valve in'closed relation to the feed water line'when the water level in p the boiler is substantially normal, the counterpoise being secured to the valve stem and a second counterpoise mechanism'mounted independently of the valve stem and 0ppos-- ing a downward movement of the container and yieldable when an overflow condition exists 1n the boiler. 7

JAMES P. QUALEY. AUGUST F. wUrLLEU IER. 

